Countries that sign ACSA and SOFA are not non-aligned nations - Tamara Kunanayakam

Colombo (News1st) - A seminar on SOFA, Economic Corridor and other controversial international agreements with the United States of America was held at the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka last evening. Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Dr Palitha Kohona, President's Counsel Mayura Gunawansha, representatives of the OPA and several other experts attended the seminar. Addressing the event former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Tamara Kunanayakam noted that both the ACSA and SOFA are agreements signed by non-NATO eligible countries and the signing of this agreement usually means that they are no longer "non-aligned" countries. Kunanayakam also stated that the United States usually uses a range of organizations to interfere in the affairs of other countries and noted that DAI is one of the contractors used for this purpose. The former ambassador stated that senior USAID officials have confirmed that the CIA uses USAID to issue contracts and funding to third parties in order to provide cover for clandestine operations. She added that both the DAI and USAID have been expelled from a number of countries due to this reason.